Rise of an Opposition?

Rise of an Opposition?

As remarkable as the concept may sound after years of Democratic dysfunction, something akin to a two-party system appeared to take shape November 1, the week after Scooter Libby was indicted.

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Flipboard
Pocket

As remarkable as the concept may sound after years of Democratic dysfunction, something akin to a two-party system appeared to take shape November 1, the week after Scooter Libby was indicted. Democrats forced the GOP-controlled Senate into closed session to discuss the status of a promised investigation into the Administration’s misuse of intelligence before the Iraq invasion. Minority leader Harry Reid thundered from the floor, “I demand on behalf of the American people that we understand why these investigations aren’t being conducted.” Majority leader Bill Frist absurdly accused Reid of “hijacking” the Senate. Frist’s fury was understandable–he and his leadership team are unfamiliar with the challenges posed by an aggressive opposition. Taking the Republicans by surprise proved to be smart strategy. The Democrats won the day, securing establishment of a bipartisan committee to examine charges that Intelligence Committee chair Pat Roberts has stalled the investigation. This success should embolden them to question the war and hold the Administration to account. Reid was slow to evolve from “minority leader” to “opposition leader,” but success might encourage him to retain the title.

Thank you for reading The Nation!

We hope you enjoyed the story you just read. It’s just one of many examples of incisive, deeply-reported journalism we publish—journalism that shifts the needle on important issues, uncovers malfeasance and corruption, and uplifts voices and perspectives that often go unheard in mainstream media. For nearly 160 years, The Nation has spoken truth to power and shone a light on issues that would otherwise be swept under the rug.

In a critical election year as well as a time of media austerity, independent journalism needs your continued support. The best way to do this is with a recurring donation. This month, we are asking readers like you who value truth and democracy to step up and support The Nation with a monthly contribution. We call these monthly donors Sustainers, a small but mighty group of supporters who ensure our team of writers, editors, and fact-checkers have the resources they need to report on breaking news, investigative feature stories that often take weeks or months to report, and much more.

There’s a lot to talk about in the coming months, from the presidential election and Supreme Court battles to the fight for bodily autonomy. We’ll cover all these issues and more, but this is only made possible with support from sustaining donors. Donate today—any amount you can spare each month is appreciated, even just the price of a cup of coffee.

The Nation does not bow to the interests of a corporate owner or advertisers—we answer only to readers like you who make our work possible. Set up a recurring donation today and ensure we can continue to hold the powerful accountable.

Thank you for your generosity.

Ad Policy
x